1. 1 to 10 how appropriate could this device be for the garden?

Ans: If it works effectively, then I’d say 8~9? Since most of us don’t like to water the plants xD *laughs hysterically*

Evaluation:

She’s more concerned of the plausibility of the project to be fully relied on. As an extensive aspect we can address this criteria in the future.

2. How would you like us to expand the project further?

Ans: Currently, you could try to supply to a large bedding... It’ll be even cooler if you could manage to take care of the plants nursery… After that then you could take care of the herbs garden (the one next to the garden), and monitor those through a sprinkler. If you want to go further add some sensors to detect the pH, nitrate levels of the plants. Why is this significant? Oh, it’s more reliable and professional. With that machine, the values will show up and help us monitor the soil’s acidity, or ba zơ hóa.

Evaluation:

Mia has clearly provided a much larger scope of analysis through this response. She believes that monitoring water flow depending on plants’ individual needs is cool already, but we could monitor other things to keep track of their well-being such as soil condition. There’ always room for improvements.

3. When and where would you like to see this device be applied to?

Ans: Use the answers above.

Evaluation:

The garden proved to be not a restricted place for us to implement the system- we’re open to use the herbs area downstairs too. This allowed us to branch out various aspects to consider for this project.

4. How efficient would you like the device to be (controlled for 3 weeks, 2 months, 1 year)?

Ans: Roughly 3 years, I hope it’s still effective for 3+ years.

Evaluation:

Here, Mia gives accounts of the typical life-expectancy of our machine. It’s quite demanding, but through this, we’ll strive to make it happen.

1. 1 to 10 how appropriate could this device be for the garden?

Ans: 12 !!!!!!!! For sure… because then I wouldn’t have to water everyday *guilty smirk*. The sanitors sometimes water, but somebody might forget…

Evaluation:

After the interview, we could see that janitors are not the most reliable ones when it comes to watering the plants. From this conversation, it was rather evident how important the system is in the long term.

2. How would you like us to expand the project further?

Ans: Sprayers/sprinklers for the ground areas.

For the plant beds, we could use the new dripline.

Evaluation:

Ms. Tanya response were gardening heavy. During our interview, she stressed the importance of having sprayers and sprinklers. We also discussed the possibility of adding a solenoid valve to the school pipeline to supply water instead of having a tank.

3. When and where would you like to see this device be applied to?

Ans: As soon as possible, if we can someone help you to get it by the end of this year. If not, next year, sure.

Evaluation:

From this response, we can clearly see how dire the project is. This meant that our project is useful and was able to achieve its goal.

4. How efficient would you like the device to be (controlled for 3 weeks, 2 months, 1 year)?

Ans: We’ll manage to get someone to check quite regularly. If you teach me how to fix a few things then I’ll help you set up.

Evaluation:

Even if we can ensure the system is reliable, our system can only be a system that helps the gardeners grow better food, instead of fully replacing them.

This is good in large scale manufacturing since it will ensure the quality of the food, while not making the farmers become jobless.

1. 1 to 10 how appropriate could this device be for the garden?

Ans: If you manage to make it work 100% of the time, I’d say 10. But remember, it greatly depends on which type of plants. Right now, the moisture level for your tomato pots are way too high - but if you really want to use an irrigation system, either lower the values down or grow potatoes, herbs or water spinach - basically those that thrive in wet conditions. By having tomatoes grown in these extremely moist conditions would make the roots rot, which the first signs will be coiled leaves (it’s happened already to your plants - they’ll die soon), and eventually kill the plant due to overwatering. Tomatoes are very hard to please. Choose easier plants next time. But if you’re able to control the values, these systems will help out a lot.

Evaluation:

Ms. Nhan’s specifically enlightened us on our choice of plants and set conditions for the tomatoes. Through her response here, she’s said that the project itself is very promising, but needs to be revised with multiple adults/experts to ensure authenticity and accurateness of the product for the chosen plants.

2. How would you like us to expand the project further?

Ans: Potentially have a garden with varied levels, and you’re controlling all systematically. All plants are unique, most need about the same amounts, but if you could control an array of specimen, that’d be cool.

Furthermore, try to control other things too - heat, sunlight intensity, etc. Speaking of sunlight, you might want to move to a sunnier location...

Evaluation:

This answer provided us with expectations of monitoring various other aspects outside the watering action.

3. When and where would you like to see this device be applied to?

Ans: To gardens, or indoor gardens! I haven’t been to your school’s garden so I don’t know for sure, but make sure your system works smoothly then introduce it to your local community - they’ll love it.

Evaluation:

This answer showed us that it’d also be favorable outside the ISHCMC community, because not everyone with a mini farm has time to meticulously worry about the dampness of the soil.

4. How efficient would you like the device to be (controlled for 3 weeks, 2 months, 1 year)?

Ans: Lazy people like me will just check on it once a week, and let it run for as long as possible.

Evaluation:

Same as above

From the survey conducted on our system, it was evident that the majority of our target audience had a lot of positive feedback and are very excited to have the system implemented as soon as possible. Our system was able to cover all the electrical components to ensure safety, and has it own water tank and pipe system. Not only did this make our system more reliable, it also make maintenance easier for us. Overall, our product was able to meet most of the design specifications and was able to successfully operate for 7 consecutive days without supervision. We have been able to reach our main goal for the project, and was able to satisfy nearly all of the aspects that were mentioned in the design specifications.

As for future developments, we would hope to expand our design project further, and hope it could become a permanent solution to the “watering crisis” the gardening club were facing. This meant that our system would have to become more reliable, sustainable, able to adapt to the various fish tanks that will be laced in the garden. We plan to replace the current energy system with batteries that is directly connected to an array of solar panels. Additionally, we want to “buff” up our system, by using a moisture sensor that is able to slow down the process of oxidation. This is to ensure that the new ones are more suitable for large scale projects, nevertheless, this is only one aspect we’re trying to change. Finally, because our final goal is to have the system implemented in the garden, we would hope that we could implement an aquaponic system in our irrigation system, which we hope to design during the summer to put it together by the next school year. This is highly achievable because we’ll both be in the same design class (Design SL).

After completing this project, we have learned many things relating to Arduino, circuitry, and agriculture. The project has allowed us to explore a technology that is currently being heavily researched on, which is an opportunity for us to find ways to use technology to better the world we live in. The journey that we both experienced to get to where we are now is… (tbh) rather challenging. There were many times that we felt like we would give up on our self, but we found ways to overcome the problems (WE JUST FIXED THE SOLDERING PROBLEM TODAY!!!). Ultimately, this project has not only help us grow as individuals but it also helped our local communities as well, which was the main goal for this project (for any design projects really…).